Former UEFA General Secretary David Taylor Dies At 60 After Battling Illness

Former UEFA General Secretary and former Scottish FA CEO DAVID TAYLOR "has died at the age of 60," according to the BBC. Taylor "was in charge north of the border for eight years" from '99 before joining UEFA. UEFA "confirmed his death after illness" (BBC, 6/24). In Glasgow, Keith McLeod reported Taylor "died back home in Scotland after becoming unwell while on holiday in Turkey earlier this month." SFA President CAMPBELL OGILVIE paid tribute to the "astute, forward-thinking and passionate" former CEO. Ogilvie: "On behalf of his friends and former colleagues at the Scottish FA, and throughout Scottish football in general, I would to express our profound sadness at the tragic news of David’s death." Taylor joined the Scottish Development Agency (now Scottish Enterprise) in '85, and "held a succession of senior positions before being appointed the first Director of Scottish Trade International -- a body set up to promote Scottish business overseas -- prior to his appointment to the Scottish FA." Taylor "was appointed UEFA general secretary in May 2007." He became a UEFA exec director, making him "one of the most important administrators in the world game" (DAILY RECORD, 6/24). The London INDEPENDENT reported UEFA President MICHEL PLATINI "paid tribute" to Taylor's "boundless enthusiasm." Platini: "Together with the European football family, I am deeply saddened to hear of David's passing. He was an invaluable addition to UEFA when he first joined us as general secretary, and brought us considerable experience and wisdom as a football administrator of the highest calibre" (INDEPENDENT, 6/25).